450 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
Correspondence in respect to the examination and trial of the Side-arm Store, 
Artillery Small and General Store , Expense Shell Store, and Magazines, 
in the Batteries at Southsea Castle, armed with 13 -inch, 9-inch, and 
7 -inch M.L. Rifled Guns, by a Committee of Officers of Royal Artillery 
and Royal Engineers. 
Portsmouth 5 
28707 
16/7/69. 
COMMITTEE. 
Captain and Bfc.-Major W. J. Gbimston, R.A. 
Captain E. Habding Stewabd, R.E. 
Captain J. E. Blackwell, R.A. 
Lieut. J. du T. Bogle, R.E. 
Side-arm Store. 
“ A store containing the side-arms, block-tackle bearers, buckets, wads, &c. 
for twelve guns was examined; also tried with the full number of men 
requisite to man that number of guns. 
“The fitments and their arrangements appear well adapted for the 
purposes required. It is, however, suggested that in future this class of 
store should be constructed to contain the stores of eight guns only; for 
when the numbers of the twelve guns w r ent for their stores, the crowding of 
the men at the doors was at first too great to permit of the speedy removal 
of the stores. It is also suggested that the doors should be made broader, 
that the tackle brackets be made 12 inches long, and of round instead of 
flat iron, and that pegs be added for the buckets. (Plate II. figs. 1, 2, 3). 
Artillery “Small” Store. 
“A store for the small stores (in use) for twelve guns was examined and 
tried. It is suggested that in future this class of store should be made to 
take the small stores for eight guns only, in order that it may correspond 
with side-arm store, if reduced as proposed. 
“ It is also suggested that the divisions be marked on the bench by black 
lines, in order that the spaces devoted to the stores for each gun should be 
more apparent. 
“ It is also recommended that the i preventor 3 rope should be classed 
with the small stores, and provided for accordingly; on account of the 
number of the gun detachment that procures it having also to get the sights. 
The store examined contains the small stores for five 7-inch guns and seven 
9-inch guns. It is suggested that, where possible, the accommodation of 
the small stores of guns of different calibres in the same building, should 
be avoided. (Plate II. figs. 4, 5, 6). 
General Artillery Store. 
“ A building for the reception of the spare or general stores for twenty- 
four guns was next examined. 
“ It is recommended that a few additional tackle brackets should be 
